Annual Western Isles council tax bills have been delayed as a result of the severe cyber attack which hit the comhairle’s computer systems in November.
Issuing of business rates bills are also postponed.
The council’s finance department was the worst affected when hackers encrypted the council's operational and backup servers, locking an immense number of files and records within the system on 7 November.
Since then some data on the comhairle’s servers has been recovered.
The process continues to rebuild systems -
Printing and scanning services were also knocked out with much effort being undertaken to fully restore these facilities, helped by the return of internet connections across the comhairle.
Rates and council tax bills will be delayed due “ongoing problems” with the comhairle’s IT infrastructure.
A mass mailing of bills for 2024-
Now the comhairle hopes to send out the letters in May, two months later than usual.
Council tax instalments are normally due over 10 months from April to January. However, this will be changed to June to March.
For people who pay by direct debit, no payments will be taken in April and May but will be taken in February and March of next year.
All sums paid to the local authority since the cyber attack have been logged and allocated to accounts said the council.
People wishing to make payments before their bill arrives can pay through the council’s website using the reference on their 2023/24 bill.
A council spokesman said: “The comhairle is working closely with software suppliers to ensure that this issue is resolved quickly and with the least disruption possible.
“We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate everyone’s patience while our systems are rebuilt and restored.”
Western Isles council tax bills delayed by cyber attack impact
28 March 2024
